Codeword space reduction for intra chroma mode signaling for HEVC

ABSTRACT

Intra prediction is used in state-of-the-art video coding standards such as AVC. The intra prediction modes are coded into the bitstream. Luma and chroma components could potentially have different prediction modes. For chroma components, there are 5 different modes defined in AVC: vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right, and “same as luma”. Statistics show that the “same as luma” mode is frequent used, but in AVC, this mode is encoded using more bits than other modes during entropy coding, therefore the coding efficiency is decreased. Accordingly, a modified binarization/codeword assignment for chroma intra mode signaling is able to be utilized for high efficiency video coding (HEVC), the next generation video coding standard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/038,129, filed on Mar. 1, 2011 and titled, “CODEWORD SPACE REDUCTION FOR INTRA CHROMA MODE SIGNALING FOR HEVC”, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/432,957, filed Jan. 14, 2011 and titled, “CODEWORD SPACE REDUCTION FOR INTRA CHROMA MODE SIGNALING FOR HEVC.” Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/432,970, filed Jan. 14, 2011 and titled, “CODEWORD ASSIGNMENT FOR INTRA CHROMA MODE SIGNALING FOR HEVC which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of image processing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modified codeword assignment for intra chroma mode signaling for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A standard binarization/Variable Length Coding (VLC) codeword assignment scheme used in Advanced Video Coding (AVC) is shown in Table 1. In AVC, the prediction mode for an intra coded block is signaled in the bitstream to the decoder. Possible chroma prediction modes/directions are vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal and “same as luma.” The modes are each assigned a codeword from 0 through 4 and are signaled using truncated unary code in the bitstream.

TABLE 1 Intra prediction mode for chroma component. intra_pred_mode_chroma Binarization/VLC Codeword 0 (vertical) 0 1 (horizontal) 10 2 (DC) 110 3 (diagonal down right) 1110 4 (same as luma) 1111

A statistical study shows that there is a high probability for the chroma components to use the sample prediction direction as the luma component of the block. However, the “same as luma” mode is assigned the longest codeword in Table 1 (4 bits), which is not efficient. On the other hand, redundancy also exists between mode 4 and mode 0˜3, when the luma prediction mode is one of vertical, horizontal, DC and diagonal down right. Therefore, a better design of the codeword table is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Intra prediction is used in state-of-the-art video coding standards such as AVC. The intra prediction modes are coded into the bitstream. Luma and chroma components could potentially have different prediction modes. For chroma components, there are 5 different modes defined in AVC: vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right, and “same as luma.” Statistics show that the “same as luma” mode is frequently used, but in AVC, this mode is encoded using more bits than other modes during entropy coding, therefore the coding efficiency is decreased. Accordingly, a modified binarization/codeword assignment for chroma intra mode signaling is able to be utilized for high efficiency video coding (HEVC), the next generation video coding standard.

In one aspect, a method programmed in a controller of a device comprises programming a codeword assignment, determining if a same as luma mode is equal to another codeword mode, reconfiguring the codeword assignment, if the same as luma mode is equal to another codeword mode and performing intra coding prediction using the codeword assignment. The codeword assignment comprises five modes including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right and same as luma. A codeword for the same as luma mode includes the fewest bits of the five modes. Reconfiguring the codeword assignment includes removing the another codeword mode and reducing bits of remaining codeword modes. The intra coding prediction is used to decode an image. The codeword assignment is programmed in a memory of the device. The codeword assignment includes programming hardware logic. The device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home entertainment system.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus for implementing a codeword assignment comprises a programming module for programming a codeword assignment, a comparison module for determining if a same as luma mode is equal to another codeword mode, a reconfiguring module for reconfiguring the codeword assignment, if the same as luma mode is equal to another codeword mode and an intra coding prediction module for performing the intra coding prediction using the codeword assignment. The codeword assignment comprises five modes including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right and the same as luma. A codeword for the same as luma mode includes the fewest bits of the five modes. Reconfiguring the codeword assignment includes removing the another mode and reducing bits in remaining codeword modes. The intra coding prediction is used to decode an image. The codeword assignment is programmed in a memory of the device. The codeword assignment includes programming hardware logic. The apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home entertainment system.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus comprises a memory for storing an application, the application for programming a codeword assignment including five modes including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right and same as luma, determining if the same as luma mode is the same as another mode, and if the same as luma mode is the same as the another mode, then reconfiguring the codeword assignment so that the another mode is removed and remaining mode codewords are reduced in bits and performing intra coding prediction using the codeword assignment and a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing component configured for processing the application. The same as luma mode includes the fewest bits of the modes. The intra coding prediction is used to decode an image. The apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home entertainment system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method of intra coding prediction using a modified codeword assignment according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of modifying a codeword assignment according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a coder/decoder (codec) according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing device configured to implement a modified codeword assignment according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Since the texture pattern of luma and chroma components are correlated, often times the mode used for the luma prediction is also good for the chroma prediction. Thus, the “same as luma” mode is likely to be the best mode. Therefore, a redefined binarization/Variable Length Coding (VLC) scheme is shown in Table 2. As shown, the “same as luma” mode has the shortest codeword (only 1 bit) in the improved scheme.

TABLE 2 Standard Binarization/VLC codeword versus Improved Binarization/VLC codeword. Standard Improved Binarization/VLC Binarization/VLC intra_pred_mode_chroma Codeword Codeword 0 (vertical) 0 10 1 (horizontal) 10 110 2 (DC) 110 1110 3 (diagonal down right) 1110 1111 4 (same as luma) 1111 0

Furthermore, chroma intra modes are not mutually exclusive. For example, if the luma intra mode is vertical, then the “same as luma” is the same as vertical. Therefore, codeword space reduction is able to be used to further improve coding efficiency, such that if the luma mode is one of vertical, horizontal, DC or diagonal down right, the corresponding mode is removed from the chroma mode list, and accordingly, the codeword space of the truncated unary code is reduced from 0 through 4 to 0 through 3. Table 3 shows a complete list of codewords.

TABLE 3 List of codewords using codeword space reduction. intra_pred_mode_luma intra_pred_mode_chroma 0 1 2 3 others 0 (vertical) n/a 10 10 10 10 1 (horizontal) 10 n/a 110 110 110 2 (DC) 110 110 n/a 111 1110 3 (diagonal down right) 111 111 111 n/a 1111 4 (same as luma) 0 0 0 0 0

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method of intra coding prediction using a modified codeword assignment according to some embodiments. In the step 100, a modified codeword assignment is programmed. In some embodiments, programming includes storing the assignment in memory. In some embodiments, programming includes designing hardware to implement the assignment. In some embodiments, another method of programming is implemented. Table 3 (above) shows an example of the modified codeword assignment where the “same as luma” codeword uses the fewest bits. In the step 102, the modified codeword assignment is utilized to perform intra coding prediction (e.g. determining a directional prediction mode). In some embodiments, fewer or additional steps are implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of modifying a codeword assignment according to some embodiments. In the step 200, a modified codeword assignment is programmed. In some embodiments, programming includes storing the assignment in memory. In some embodiments, programming includes designing hardware to implement the assignment. In some embodiments, another method of programming is implemented. In the step 202, it is determined if the mode value of “same as luma” is the same as one of the mode codewords. If the mode value of “same as luma” is not the same as one of the mode codewords, then the codeword assignment is not modified further, and the process goes to the step 206. If the mode value of “same as luma” is the same as one of the mode codewords, then in the step 204, that mode codeword is removed or not used, and the remaining mode codewords are reconfigured and the codeword assignment is modified again. For example, the codewords are reconfigured as shown in Table 4 above. In the step 206, the modified codeword assignment is utilized to perform intra coding prediction (e.g. determining a directional prediction mode). The steps of modifying the codeword assignment is able to be repeated as needed. In some embodiments, fewer or additional steps are implemented. For example, in some embodiments, the step 200 is skipped or moved.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a coder/decoder (codec) according to some embodiments. An input video is received at the codec 300, and the video is split into a plurality of blocks. The codec 300 includes encoder components including: a Transform/Quantization module 302 where transform coefficients are scaled and quantized, an entropy encoder 304 such as a Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) performs entropy coding, an inverse Transform/Quantization module 306 applies an inverse transform/quantization, a deblocking filter 308 is implemented to control the strength of the filtering to reduce the pixilation of the image, an adaptive loop filter 310 improves coding efficiency by applying filters to the deblocking-filtered image and a predictor 312 performs prediction steps. The codec 300 also includes decoder components including: an entropy decoder 314 for implementing entropy decoding, a second inverse Transform/Quantization module 316, a second deblocking filter 318, a second adaptive loop filter 320 and a second predictor 322, which perform similar operations to those described above except in a decoding implementation. In the predictor 312, the modified codeword assignment is implemented to provide more efficient intra mode prediction. Fewer or additional components are able to be included as well.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 400 configured to implement the modified codeword assignment according to some embodiments. The computing device 400 is able to be used to acquire, store, compute, process, communicate and/or display information such as images, videos and audio. For example, a computing device 400 is able to acquire and store an image. The modified codeword assignment is able to be used during or after acquiring the image, or when displaying the image on the device 400. In general, a hardware structure suitable for implementing the computing device 400 includes a network interface 402, a memory 404, a processor 406, I/O device(s) 408, a bus 410 and a storage device 412. The choice of processor is not critical as long as a suitable processor with sufficient speed is chosen. The memory 404 is able to be any conventional computer memory known in the art. The storage device 412 is able to include a hard drive, CDROM, CDRW, DVD, DVDRW, flash memory card or any other storage device. The computing device 400 is able to include one or more network interfaces 402. An example of a network interface includes a network card connected to an Ethernet or other type of LAN. The I/O device(s) 408 are able to include one or more of the following: keyboard, mouse, monitor, display, printer, modem, touchscreen, button interface and other devices. In some embodiments, the hardware structure includes multiple processors and other hardware to perform parallel processing. Modified codeword assignment application(s) 430 used to implement the modified syntax are likely to be stored in the storage device 412 and memory 404 and processed as applications are typically processed. More or less components shown in FIG. 4 are able to be included in the computing device 400. In some embodiments, modified codeword assignment hardware 420 is included. Although the computing device 400 in FIG. 4 includes applications 430 and hardware 420 for implementing the modified codeword assignment, the modified codeword assignment is able to be implemented on a computing device in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the modified codeword assignment applications 430 are programmed in a memory and executed using a processor. In another example, in some embodiments, the modified codeword assignment hardware 420 is programmed hardware logic including gates specifically designed to implement the method.

In some embodiments, the modified codeword assignment application(s) 430 include several applications and/or modules. Modules include a programming module for programming a modified codeword assignment, an intra coding prediction module for performing the intra coding prediction using the modified codeword assignment, a comparison module for determining if the “same as luma” mode value is equal to one of the mode codewords and a reconfiguring module for reconfiguring the codeword assignment. In some embodiments, modules include one or more sub-modules as well. In some embodiments, fewer or additional modules are able to be included.

Examples of suitable computing devices include a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone, a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television, a home entertainment system or any other suitable computing device.

To utilize the modified codeword assignment, a user acquires a video/image such as on a digital camcorder, and while or after the video is acquired, or when displaying the video, the modified codeword assignment is utilized in the intra coding prediction aspect of encoding the video. The modified codeword assignment is able to be implemented automatically without user involvement.

In operation, the modified codeword assignment enables more efficient prediction. A simple modified codeword assignment is able to be used where “same as luma” has the shortest codeword, or a slightly more complex codeword assignment is able to be used where the codeword assignment change depending on whether “same as luma” mode is the same as one of the other modes. In some embodiments, the luma prediction is checked at the encoder, the decoder or both.

SOME EMBODIMENTS OF CODEWORD ASSIGNMENT FOR INTRA CHROMA MODE SIGNALING FOR HEVC

-   1. A method programmed in a controller of a device comprising:     -   a. programming a codeword assignment;     -   b. determining if a same as luma mode is equal to another         codeword mode;     -   c. reconfiguring the codeword assignment, if the same as luma         mode is equal to another codeword mode; and     -   d. performing intra coding prediction using the codeword         assignment. -   2. The method of clause 1 wherein the codeword assignment comprises     five modes including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right     and same as luma. -   3. The method of clause 2 wherein a codeword for the same as luma     mode includes the fewest bits of the five modes. -   4. The method of clause 3 wherein reconfiguring the codeword     assignment includes removing the another codeword mode and reducing     bits of remaining codeword modes. -   5. The method of clause 1 wherein the intra coding prediction is     used to decode an image. -   6. The method of clause 1 wherein the codeword assignment is     programmed in a memory of the device. -   7. The method of clause 1 wherein the codeword assignment includes     programming hardware logic. -   8. The method of clause 1 wherein the device is selected from the     group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a     computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld     computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone,     a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital     camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a     DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home     entertainment system. -   9. An apparatus for implementing a codeword assignment comprising:     -   a. a programming module for programming a codeword assignment;     -   b. a comparison module for determining if a same as luma mode is         equal to another codeword mode;     -   c. a reconfiguring module for reconfiguring the codeword         assignment, if the same as luma mode is equal to another         codeword mode; and     -   d. an intra coding prediction module for performing the intra         coding prediction using the codeword assignment. -   10. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein the codeword assignment     comprises five modes including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal     down right and the same as luma. -   11. The apparatus of clause 10 wherein a codeword for the same as     luma mode includes the fewest bits of the five modes. -   12. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein reconfiguring the codeword     assignment includes removing the another mode and reducing bits in     remaining codeword modes. -   13. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein the intra coding prediction is     used to decode an image. -   14. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein the codeword assignment is     programmed in a memory of the device. -   15. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein the codeword assignment     includes programming hardware logic. -   16. The apparatus of clause 9 wherein the apparatus is selected from     the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a     computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld     computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone,     a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital     camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a     DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home     entertainment system. -   17. An apparatus comprising:     -   a. a memory for storing an application, the application for:         -   i. programming a codeword assignment including five modes             including vertical, horizontal, DC, diagonal down right and             same as luma;         -   ii. determining if the same as luma mode is the same as             another mode, and if the same as luma mode is the same as             the another mode, then reconfiguring the codeword assignment             so that the another mode is removed and remaining mode             codewords are reduced in bits; and         -   iii. performing intra coding prediction using the codeword             assignment; and     -   b. a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing         component configured for processing the application. -   18. The apparatus of clause 17 wherein the same as luma mode     includes the fewest bits of the modes. -   19. The apparatus of clause 17 wherein the intra coding prediction     is used to decode an image. -   20. The apparatus of clause 17 wherein the apparatus is selected     from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer,     a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a handheld     computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile telephone,     a smart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digital     camcorder, a camera phone, an iPod®/iPhone/iPad, a video player, a     DVD writer/player, a Blu-ray® writer/player, a television and a home     entertainment system.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decoding method, comprising: executing intra coding prediction based on a codeword assignment to generate a prediction image, wherein a same as luma mode is different from each of a plurality of another codeword modes, wherein a codeword for the same as luma mode includes fewest bits of the plurality of another codeword modes, and wherein a length of the codeword for the same as luma mode is one bit; and decoding a bit stream based on the prediction image.
 2. The decoding method of claim 1, wherein the codeword assignment comprises five modes including a vertical mode, a horizontal mode, a DC mode, a diagonal down right mode and the same as luma mode.
 3. The decoding method of claim 1, wherein the codeword assignment is configured, based on a removal of at least one of the plurality of another codeword modes and reduction of bits of remaining codeword modes of the plurality of another codeword modes.
 4. An apparatus, comprising: a memory configured to store a codeword assignment; and a processor configured to: execute intra coding prediction based on the codeword assignment to generate a prediction image, wherein a same as luma mode is different from each of a plurality of another codeword modes, wherein a codeword for the same as luma mode includes fewest bits of the plurality of another codeword modes, and wherein a length of the codeword for the same as luma mode is one bit; and decode a bit stream based on the prediction image.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the codeword assignment comprises five modes including a vertical mode, a horizontal mode, a DC mode, a diagonal down right mode and the same as luma mode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the codeword assignment is configured, based on a removal of at least one of the plurality of another codeword modes and reduction of bits of remaining codeword modes of the plurality of another codeword modes. 